The Chesterfield football history resource

Mick Leonard was plucked
out of the Isthmian League as a teenager by Halifax Town, and had only just
turned twenty when Notts County paid £30,00 for his signature in September
1979. In ten seasons at Meadow Lane, Mick made 204 appearances for The Magpies,
his last being against Chesterfield in 1988-9.

County lost that 3-0
and manager Neil Warnock grew more incandescent with rage as the match wore on.
Some thought that, to spite Chesterfield, he signed Plymouth’s Steve Cherry,
who was on loan to The Spireites at the time. Whatever Neil’s motives, his
transfer activity meant that Mick was surplus to requirements at Meadow Lane,
and Chesterfield stepped in.

Mick was a brave and
agile 'keeper, although critics might point to his effectiveness being reduced
by an unwillingness to leave his line to deal confidently with crosses. He joined the Spireites as morale was turning
for the better following the disastrous start to '88-9, and was a more than
adequate replacement for the County-bound Steve Cherry. A notable shot-stopper, he was someone whose
play seemed to improve under opposition pressure, and he put in a number of
fine displays as the Spireites made it to the play-offs in '89-90. Indeed, Mick's penalty save against Exeter
that left the Spireites 2-1 winners in March, 1990, is often remembered as a
turning-point.

The following season,
form deserted him somewhat, and Mike Allison came in to perform reasonably well
as Mick was loaned out to Halifax, following an alleged fall-out with Paul
Hart. Allison did okay, but he was preferred for far too long over Mick who, incredibly,
made one of his three appearances for the Shaymen against Chesterfield! Paul Hart's dismissal paved the way for Mick’s
return to Saltergate, and he continued as the club's first-choice 'keeper until
struck down by injury at York in December 1992. Upon returning to fitness he and
Chris Marples contested the number 1 jersey until Mick left the club in the
summer of 1994, upon the expiry of his contract.

Mick subsequently went
to Hong Kong to play and coach. He has since coached in New Zealand and Dubai,
as well as at Nottingham Forest, ironically under the management of Paul Hart.
Mick currently serves as head of youth at Notts County.

For Chesterfield: 175+1 Football
League appearances

(55 clean sheets / 224 goals
conceded.)

Milestone corner: Mick was the first Chesterfield
keeper to come on as a substitute, replacing Chris Marples against Shrewsbury
on New Year’s Day, 1994.)